Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today questioned Michigan State University (MSU) Interim President John Engler at a Senate subcommittee hearing on the issue of abuse in college and amateur athletics. At the Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security Subcommittee hearing, Peters noted the need for a change in culture at MSU following decades of abuse by Larry Nassar and pressed Engler on his treatment of survivors, recent hiring decisions at MSU and what di… Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate has passed a bill introduced by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and Jim Risch (R-ID) to help small businesses protect their intellectual property by improving education on obtaining and protecting patents. The Small Business Innovation Protection Act will help leverage existing outreach programs run by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), to better educate small businesses on domestic and international p… Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $116,191 for the Lyon Township Fire Department to purchase an exhaust removal system. This grant comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program.
"First responders stand ready at a moment's notice to respond when emergencies strike, and it is critical they have the tools to be prepared," said Senator Peters. "I am pleased to announce this support, which will help the L… Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow today announced $111,890 for Northern Bay Ambulance in Pinconning to help purchase two natural lift systems. This grant comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Assistance to Firefighters Grants program.
"First responders stand ready at a moment's notice to respond when emergencies strike, and it is critical they have the tools to be prepared," said Senator Peters. "I am pleased to announce this support, which will hel… Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Bob Casey (D-PA) today urged the Trump Administration to resume risk-adjustment collections and payments that ensure insurance companies are covering individuals with pre-existing conditions. In a letter to the Administrator of Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Seema Verma, the Senators noted that the court decision cited by CMS as the cause of suspended payments did not include a nationwide injunction and urged CMS to take swi… Continue Reading

FLINT, MI - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) toured the Ferris Wheel, a coworking space and innovation incubator in Flint, where met with startups, entrepreneurs and small business owners as part of "Startup Week Across America." During his visit, Peters highlighted Flint's growing startup community and the resources and support services provided by Ferris Wheel and 100K Ideas, a nonprofit based in the Ferris Wheel building that helps innovators turn their ideas into products or services.
"Fast-gr… Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement on the U.S. Army's decision to locate its new Futures Command in Austin, Texas:
"The U.S. Army's Futures Command is tasked with developing the innovative technology, vehicles, and weapons that will keep America's Fighting Forces the strongest in the world despite the changing nature of the battlefield. I am disappointed the Army selected Austin, Texas for its n… Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters, Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight & Emergency Management, participated in a hearing this week on warrantless smartphone searches at our international borders. You can watch Senator Peters' opening remarks by clicking here - his opening remarks begin at 4:00, and an additional exchange on searches as it relates to Michigan begins at 44:29.
Below are Senator Peters' opening statement as prepared for delivery.
"T… Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement announcing his opposition to Judge Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court:
"The Supreme Court is supposed to protect the fundamental rights of all Americans, and I believe Judge Kavanaugh's judicial record shows that he will put the needs of special interests and large corporations ahead of the American people. I'm deeply troubled by his efforts to undermine workers' rights and the Consumer Fin… Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI) yesterday urged President Trump to approve Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley's request for a major disaster declaration following severe flash flooding that affected Houghton, Gogebic and Menominee counties. The Lt. Governor's request describes the damage from the flooding in the three counties as extensive - estimated at more than $42 million in covered damage to public facilities -… Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, DC -U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) partnered with Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic to grant a Michigan boy's wish to be a U.S. Senator for a day. Eighteen-year-old Thomas Stephenson, who was diagnosed with a congenital cardiac condition, joined Peters for a day of constituent meetings, briefings, media interviews, a floor speech and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Capitol.
"It's exciting to see young people like Tom who are interested in public service and want to learn more about our democr… Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow and U.S. Representative Dan Kildee today announced the City of Flint and the Flint Housing Commission will receive a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods Grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The grant will support the replacement of the Atherton East public housing complex with new modern, affordable housing units, and will help current residents relocate to neighborhoods in South Flint with better access t… Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) helped pass the bipartisan Farm Bill, which includes an amendment introduced by Peters and U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) to provide more flexibility for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to issue microloans to small farmers. FSA microloans are a popular part of the agency's larger direct loan program, which has been temporarily forced to suspend pending loans in recent years due to increased demand. The amendme… Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling weakening collective bargaining rights for public sector labor unions:
"Labor unions built America's middle class. Guided by the ideal that workers have the right to band together and collectively bargain for a better workplace, the labor movement has lifted millions of Americans into the middle class. This is a very disappointing ruling for Michigan families … Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, released the following statement applauding the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) decision to extend American Airlines' direct flight service between the Lansing Capital Region International Airport and Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.:
"Mid-Michigan residents and businesses rely on affordable and convenient air service to connect them with travel and economic opportu… Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision upholding President Trump's executive order banning travel to the United States from specific Muslim-majority countries:
"I am very disappointed in the Supreme Court's divided 5-4 ruling on the Trump administration's travel ban. As a member of the Senate Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, I am focused every day on keeping Americans safe from those… Continue Reading

U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), as well as Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI), offered support of any request by the State of Michigan for federal assistance in responding to the widespread flooding that occurred following the heavy rainfall in Houghton and Menominee Counties. On Monday, Governor Snyder declared a state of disaster in Houghton and Menominee counties to make state resources available in the response and recovery effort.
"We understand the State of Mi… Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Todd Young (R-IN) today introduced bipartisan legislation to expand opportunities for students in career and technical education (CTE) by increasing training and awareness for school counselors. The Supporting Useful Career Counseling in Elementary and Secondary Schools (SUCCESS) Act would use existing funds to help develop and identify best practices for career counseling training programs based on local and regional employment needs.
"I've… Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today released the following statement recognizing Juneteenth Independence Day. On June 19th each year, Juneteenth Independence Day commemorates the day the last remaining African-American slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned of their emancipation.
"Today marks the 153rd anniversary of the end of one of our nation's darkest chapters as the last remaining slaves finally learned of their freedom. This day is an important reminder that despite the sign… Continue Reading